Japan House began construction this month on the Ogura-Sato Annex, an addition that will expand its course offerings and prioritize accessibility. The project, which has been in development for years, also includes an expanded tea garden.
Japan House offers various University classes on Japanese art and culture within the College of Fine and Applied Arts and hosts events like public tea ceremonies. The annex seeks to increase these offerings, according to Japan House Director Jennifer Gunji-Ballsrud.
“Once the Annex is built, we will have a designated classroom which will be most beneficial (to) expanding our class offerings at Japan House,” Gunji-Ballsrud said in an email statement. “(The) space will also provide more room to have events at a larger capacity.”
Japan House’s one indoor space currently functions as a multi-purpose room, housing classes, events and displays.
Generous donations from the project’s namesakes — Professor Emeritus Shozo Sato, his wife Alice Sato and her brother George Ogura — started the idea and development for the annex in 2017.
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Shozo Sato, a noted figure in FAA and master of Japanese culture, founded the original Japan House at 902 W. California Ave. in 1975. In 1998, the new Japan House opened in its current site at 2000 S. Lincoln Ave.
University alum, a close friend of the Ogura-Sato family and well-known “Parks and Recreation” actor Nick Offerman has also been an essential figure in fundraising for the project. Money raised from his campus events in 2017, 2018, 2021 and, most recently, on March 8 have all gone directly to the annex fund.
The interior of the new annex will contain a “Ryurei” tea room, a style of tea ceremony created in the late 19th century that utilizes tables and chairs, according to Gunji-Ballsrud. Japan House already practices this in its current space but will now have a dedicated area for this more accessible style.
“To have a designated tea space for (the Ryurei-style practice) will make tea even more accessible … without creating the demarcation between who can and who are unable to sit on tatami in our existing tea rooms,” Gunji-Ballsrud said.
Tatami, a traditional Japanese material made of rice straw, lines the floor of the current tea rooms at Japan House. Participants have to kneel on the mats to partake in tea ceremonies.
The project’s accessibility upgrades also extend to the tea garden, which is typically open to the public from dawn to dusk.
“We will make the expanded garden fully accessible to all who may have mobility (or) accessibility concerns in our current tea garden,” Gunji-Ballsrud said.
The accessibility improvements follow the vision of Tim Nugent, founder of Disability Resources and Educational Services at the University and famed disability rights activist, according to Gunji-Ballsrud. Nugent, who died in 2015, was a supporter of Japan House, as his wife Jeanette continues to be.
As a result of construction commencing, the west side of Japan House and the tea garden are currently inaccessible to visitors.
Due to the extensive nature of the project, Japan House will require ongoing contributions. Its website offers an option to make a gift to support the annex’s construction.
“We still need to do more fundraising to finish the interior and the gardens surrounding,” Gunji-Ballsrud said. “The costs of building something on campus is sincerely ridiculous and astronomical.”
The construction project occurs amid many others on campus, including the Illini Union, Altgeld Hall and the new Steven S. Wymer Hall.
With the work at Japan House just beginning, the timeline to completion remains somewhat uncertain. Gunji-Ballsrud hopes the annex and expanded tea garden will be completed in 2026 or, at the latest, 2027.
“We are only inspired to continue our efforts because of the response we receive from students taking our classes, from the individuals participating in our events, and the strength and support given to us by our community,” Gunji-Ballsrud said. “We hope that the students and community will support our efforts as we undertake these initiatives.”
